the latest white proposal on avoiding the fiscal cliff to house speaker john republicans laughed. >> there is a stalemate, let us not kid ourselves. >> perhaps it is a figure of speech but the country cannot afford a stalemate. >>catherine: house speaker john boehner boosting revenue by 1.6 trillion over the next decade would be a 'crippling >> stalemate...let's face it.." "...hope that's a figure of >> speech...shouldn't be talking about a stalemate." >> the key sticking point....taxes. democrats want to extend bush-era tax cuts for the middle class...while allowing rates to jump republicans don't want a tax rate increase on anyone. period. the white house is hoping that the fact the president is taking his case to the congress to act. of course the realand with 32 days before tax hikes and spending cuts kick in....there are few signs of progress. congress seems to love a deadline. but while it might come at the 11th hour -- most insiders seem to believe that there 'will' eventually be an agreement to avoid that cliff.. >> let us take a look at traffic on the south bay bridge toll p